Reconfirming the commitment to the principles and shared values of the Council of Europe, in areas such as the protection of the cultural heritage, social rights, sport and the right to health, this is the objective around which some of Italy’s initiatives within the scope of its semester of Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe revolve. The presidency, which officially started on 17th November in Strasbourg, is already in full swing with numerous, important events taking place.
Two in particular have contributed to highlight the area of priority regarding the support of the founding principles of the Council of Europe - the inauguration at of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Italy: a European heritage exhibition at the Foyer of the Committee of Ministers of Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg and the Conference on Integrity in sport held both in Rome and online, and which focused on current and relevant issues such as integrity in sport, good governance, fight against corruption and manipulation of sports competitions.
Inaugurated by the Permanent Representative of Italy to the Council of Europe Michele Giacomelli in the presence of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejcinovic Buric, the exhibition Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Italy: a European heritage provides a perfect opportunity to further explore and retrace the centuries-old paths that connect cultures, languages, histories and traditions across Europe. The Conference on Integrity in sport, opened by the Undersecretary of State for Sport Valentina Vezzali and Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, made it possible for attention to be drawn to a sector that favors dialogue, inclusiveness and a common identity.
“Sport – declared the Deputy General Manager Gianluca Alberini, at the end of the conference - has always been a vehicle for participation aggregation and inclusion. I think there are many images and moments that come to the minds of each and every one of us when we reflect on the fundamental role played by sport. Who can forget the images taken by all media around the world, of the two girls playing tennis from their respective rooftops during the lockdown in Italy. As we saw on that occasion, sport allows us to communicate even when the void divides us”. There are moments of sharing and reflection on different issues and areas, yet connected by a common belonging to the sphere of values of the Council of Europe and of its Member States.
In its six-month Presidency, Italy will also focus on enhancing women’s empowerment, the rights of minors and adolescents by championing youth policies and on the construction of a people centric future, starting with the challenges posed by technology to human rights, such as the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the promotion of a citizen-friendly juridical system.